UW Oshkosh to host Bethel University in second round of NCAA football playoffs

Fifth-ranked University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has been selected to host 21st-ranked Bethel University (Minn.) in a second-round game of the NCAA Division III Football Championship. Kickoff is set for noon on Saturday, Nov. 24 at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW Oshkosh, champion of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), owns an 11-0 record after defeating The College of St. Scholastica (Minn.), 55-10, in a first-round playoff game held Nov. 17 at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The Titans have won their last 13 games for the longest active winning streak in all divisions of NCAA football.

Bethel University, which shared second place in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), raised its record to 9-2 after holding on to edge Concordia University-Chicago (Ill.), 24-23, in a first-round contest held last Saturday in River Forest, Ill. The Royals have won two straight games since dropping a 24-17 decision to St. Olaf College (Minn.) on Nov. 3.

UW Oshkosh is appearing in the NCAA Division III Football Championship for the first time in school history. The Titans currently rank ninth in the country in total offense (504.7), 12th in scoring offense (40.27), scoring defense (14.18) and turnover margin (1.36) and 14th in rushing offense (266.27).

Bethel University is competing in its seventh NCAA Division III postseason football event. The Royals made previous appearances in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2010. Bethel University ranks 32nd in the nation in turnover margin (0.91), 43rd in total defense (303.91) and 47th in scoring defense (18.45).

Saturday’s game will be the first between the teams. The winner advances to play either Linfield College (Ore.) or North Central College (Ill.) in a quarterfinal-round contest of the 32-team tournament on Dec. 1. The national championship game (Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl) is scheduled for Dec. 14 in Salem, Va.

Tickets will be available starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday from J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. Prices are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and $4 for students. Children ages 5 and under are free.